Erlend Haraldsson

Erlend's claim to the earldom was strong, his father having been earl before him but as happened on several previous occasions, rulership of the islands had become divided.

Earl Rögnvald left Orkney in 1151 to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Erlend acted quickly to build on his inheritance.

Earl Harald refused, so Erlend set sail to Norway to request his share from King Eystein Haraldsson.

[2][4] The King granted Erlend Harald Maddadsson's share of the Orkney earldom, which led to a series of skirmishes between the two.

Erlend had the support of Sweyn Asleifsson, a powerful Viking leader, which enabled him to defend himself for a while against the combined forces of Harald and, on his return, Earl Rögnvald.